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The Australian decisive move to prohibit social media access for individuals under sixteen is sparking debate internationally. Politicians, safety advocates, and parents are monitoring with great interest to see if this approach will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

The European Trend

Across Europe, a growing number of countries are moving toward comparable bans.

• Denmark plans a ban on social media for under-15s, with the leader declaring that smartphones and networks are "stealing our kids' childhood". A law is expected to be formalized in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is preparing to implement a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to shield young people from the "power of the AI".
• Ireland is working on a digital wallet to authenticate the age and identity of social media users. Authorities have suggested that an Australian-model ban remains "an measures in reserve".
• In Spain, the prime minister has called on lawmakers to enact a bill raising the access age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the president has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has endorsed a related step, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The administration in The Dutch government has advised guardians to restrict their children from social media before 15.

Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has approved a advisory statement calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 without a parent decides otherwise is given. Although it highlights of the "compulsive" nature of these apps, the resolution does not enact enforceable legislation.

"An effective age limit is a useful starting point," said a leading MEP behind the initiative.

The United Kingdom: A Watchful Stance

For the United Kingdom, the leadership has kept open a future ban, emphasizing that "no measure is discarded" but insisting any policy must be "grounded in robust research".

Last year, support built behind a proposal to introduce restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately watered down. Instead, the administration committed to conduct more studies the topic.

Charities have raised warnings. A prominent charity founded by the relatives of a young person who took her own life after viewing dangerous online content suggests that a strict age ban may not make platforms safer and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of risk when teens reach the legal age.

"This ban is a response to the inability of the social media companies to design tools that are appropriate and age appropriate for children," stated a influential child protection advocate.

America: A Decentralized Approach

Stateside, regulation is mostly happening at the state level due to national inaction.

• Utah requires parental consent for minors to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
• Florida has enacted a law prohibiting children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it is subject to court battles.
• The state of Virginia has approved a rule limiting minors to one hour of social media use per day, with extra time requiring a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also enacted laws demanding adult authorization for under-16s to create social media presences.

Even with cross-party agreement and calls from some individuals to follow this example, a federal ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.

Global Outlook

Apart from these regions, additional states are also exploring options.

• The Malaysian government intends to ban social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
• Brazil has raised the access age for one major platform to 16.

Yet, global bodies take a more cautious position. The UN children's agency has cautioned that social media bans carry risks and "may even prove counterproductive". The body notes that online platforms can be a "critical link" for isolated children and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to prioritize user protection.

As this worldwide conversation evolves, the policies of this nation and several other countries demonstrate that policymakers globally are no longer prepared to wait for platforms to make changes on their own.